NHS Trust outlines its Green Plan to help cut CO2 emissions on Clean Air Day
AS the UK marks Clean Air Day today, the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s (MPFT) Green Plan is set to play its part in helping the NHS cut more than 1m tonnes of C02 emissions in the next three years – the equivalent of taking 520,000 cars off the road.
One of more than 200 new green plans put forward by NHS trusts across England, the plan by MPFT sets out how it will reduce its environmental impact and help the NHS reach net zero by 2040.
Katy Morris, Associate Director of Continuous Improvement & Sustainability, said: “With air pollution alone contributing to one in 20 deaths in this country a year, it is clear we are facing a health emergency as well as a climate emergency.
“Our MPFT Green Plan is testament to our staff’s commitment to tackling climate
change, and we are proud to set out the positive actions we will take to reduce our impact on the environment and safeguard the future health of our children and grandchildren.”
The green plans lay out how the
NHS, which contributes approximately 3.5 per cent (9.5 billion miles) of all road travel in England, will make this travel greener.
Smarter buildings, LED lighting and energy saving measures are also reducing emissions and saving NHS organisations money, while using intravenous anaesthetic instead of gas and helping patients use inhalers more efficiently are improving patient care.
Initiatives at MPFT include the installation of solar panels across five sites, which will reduce total energy consumption, cost and carbon footprint.
There has also been substantive investment into digital initiatives, for example, remote patient face-toface technology, reducing paper, travel, and energy.
Dr Nick Watts, Chief Sustainability Officer at NHS England, said: “The NHS was the first health system in the world to commit to net zero, and the outstanding innovation and commitment from MPFT is a vital step towards achieving that aim.
“Doing our bit on climate change will directly improve public health and reduce health inequalities, cutting deaths caused by air pollution and ensuring a healthier future for our children.”